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Andre Jones, LR’s leading scorer, dismissed from men’s basketball program

Andre Jones and Coach Wes Flanigan during Saturday’s game against Georgia State. Jones was ejected later in the 2nd half. Photo: Nick Popowitch/Forum

Monday, Little Rock (LR) men’s basketball announced the dismissal of sophomore guard Andre Jones for “conduct detrimental to the program,” according to head coach Wes Flanigan. The announcement came two days after Jones, LR’s leading scorer this season, was ejected for a verbal exchange with an official in Saturday night’s loss versus Georgia State.

Jones’ dismissal adds to an already frustrating year for the Trojans. The men are 5-19 on the season and have yet to win an away game in eleven attempts.

After Saturday’s game, Flanigan discussed Jones’ ejection. “He had a couple things to say to the referee and the referee actually kicked him out of the game.” Flanigan said. “That’s something we’ll address. We already addressed it as a team in the locker room.”

Flanigan elaborated on his thoughts on Jones’ ejection later in the press conference. “One thing we’ve been talking about all year is ‘100 DUB’. Obviously, in that situation right there, Andre wasn’t about that,” Flanigan said. “He’ll be disciplined accordingly.”

“100 DUB,” a mantra LR men’s basketball has followed all year, means “100 percent discipline, unselfishness, and body language.” Flanigan said following the mantra has been an issue, citing all the new players learning to adapt to their roles.

Tuesday, according to a report in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Flanigan said Jones’ ejection was “probably the last straw” and that he “wasn’t ready to give up on the season yet.”

On the court, Jones’ absence will complicate LR’s offensive game. Jones has led LR in scoring this year with 12.3 points per game. He’s also averaged about five rebounds a game and chipped in an almost .400 field-goal percentage.

Flanigan told the Democrat-Gazette that freshman guard Cameron Corcoran and junior guard Camron Reedus will likely take Jones’ place in the starting lineup. In roughly 16 minutes a game, Corcoran has averaged 6.4 points and a .451 field-goal percentage. Reedus, in 17 minutes a game, has averaged 6.6 points and made .407 from the field.